James Wells (W4BKK)

I noted last week with great sadness the
passing of James, W4BKK. I have known him
since the mid-50's, when I was a SWL and
sent him a swl card, which he answered in
return mail. Later as a novice, he would
give advice, help with technical questions
and sometimes loan equipment - arc-5 vfo
for use with my new Conditional ticket.
James, Miss Kathleen, Tommy and the other
Wells children became friends with me, my
parents and occasional visits between.
My last time seeing James was as he passed
thru El Paso on a 18wheeler, with a
relative driving.
My last visit with him and Kathleen was
when I passed thru on my way back from the
Caribbean. He was heavily involved with
Navy MARS in those days. I remember his
early rig - a pair of 813's modulated with
811A(I think) which put forth a frequency
clearing signal on 3995 almost every day.
James was great fun to be around and I
learned a great deal from him, be it raising
fishing worms or his days as a police
officer for the Dublin, Ga police dept,
wire beam antennas, tv repair and on and
on.
I will greatly miss James and there are
a number of recent hams in the Dublin area
that he 'Elmered" with study and/or
equipment if they could not afford it.
RIP James
Ray Colbert, W5XE
ex-K4LNE (Hazlehurst, Ga)

W4BKK was one of the first stations that I entered in my log as an SWL in 1956, before I ever received my amateur license. After I was licensed james loaned me a Globe Scout transmitter in order to get one the air. he was always a gentleman and no one ever said an unkind word about him. He always had one of the great strong signals on the 75 meter band. I will miss him. James C. Wells, W4BKK SK

W4BKK was one of the first calls that I remember hearing on 3995 in the early sixties. Many years later, while traveling in middle GA, I met James on the local Dublin repeater. I was able to finagle an invitation to visit with him. James graciously welcomed me in and gave a station tour.He took great delight in amazing this ham (who had never been around a transmitter more powerful than a DX100) by putting a flourescent light tube on top of his rig and pretending to use it as a tuning aid. I watched in amazement as he dipped the finals and the tube glowed brightly. Minutes later when it came his turn, the relays clanged and James announced .. "Double ya fore be kaykay with WA4CVB in the shack" and we were checked into the GA Cracker Net. A fine moment that I never shall forget. My sincere condolences and best wishes to the family.

James, W4BKK, was an icon that we in Georgia will never forget. Met the good fellow back
in l956 and was surprised that his size was about 5 feet 8 inches, but his voice was 9 feet. His friendliness and helpfulness were earmarks of what Amateur Radio is. One thing that really stands out to me would be his homebrew amplifiers--very high voltage and low current. Over the years, James has always been a person who showed how to be a close and dear friend to all. I still get a good laugh remembering the first time he was net control for the Georgia Cracker net and also the fun we had when he, and family, would come to the MARC meetings many years ago.
A joy of a person to know. May his soul rest in peace.

James, W4BKK, was an icon that we in Georgia will never forget. Met the good fellow back
in l956 and was surprised that his size was about 5 feet 8 inches, but his voice was 9 feet. His friendliness and helpfulness were earmarks of what Amateur Radio is. One thing that really stands out to me would be his homebrew amplifiers--very high voltage and low current. Over the years, James has always been a person who showed how to be a close and dear friend to all. I still get a good laugh remembering the first time he was net control for the Georgia Cracker net and also the fun we had when he, and family, would come to the MARC meetings many years ago.
A joy of a person to know. May his soul rest in peace.

James was a fine friend in the 60's on 75 meters AM. Later on 75 meters SSB. His KerChunk on AM and later SSB with his
Signature Acknowledgement into your Net said it all, He had Checked IN. A fine man and mentor to many.
Steve W4CNG

A fine gentleman from Georgia. I first worked him in the early 60's on AM and recently on SSB, both on 75 meters. Always ready to help or answer questions for us New folks. It was always a pleasure to know when you heard "The Klunk" of the antenna and High Voltage relays kick in that it was James that was going to Talk. And talk he did, and I am grateful to have heard what he said.

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